Geneva - The European Medicines Agency has given a "positive opinion" of a vaccine for the pandemic A(H1N1) virus developed by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, the company said in a statement Friday. "The positive opinion clears the way for European Union approval in all 27 Member States as well as in Iceland and Norway," Novartis said of Focetria, its vaccine.
The vaccine for the pandemic virus, also known as swine flu, was developed using traditional influenza manufacturing processes in an egg-based formulation.
Novartis said it already began sending the first deliveries of pandemic vaccines under quarantine to governments in Europe.
The World Health Organization said Thursday it believed the world's drugmakers could produce up to 3 billion doses of pandemic vaccine in a 12 month period.
While this would not be enough for the world's population, experts at the health agency have said not everyone will need a shot.
WHO recommended vaccinating certain sections of the health services sector, and, based on national priorities, vulnerable populations.
